William (Lew) Reynolds

Louisville -

William Lewis (Lew) Reynolds III, 81 years old, of Louisville, Ky, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2020, due to complications from Covid-19. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM with a short service to follow on Friday, September 18th at:

Stoess Funeral Home 6534 W State Hwy 22 Crestwood, KY, 40014 502-241-9421

Lew was born on October 12, 1938, the only child to Lillian East Reynolds and William Lewis (Red) Reynolds II, and spent his childhood in Lorain, OH, and is a graduate of Lorain High School and Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH, with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management.

Lew was a successful and well-respected business owner who had a passion for service to his community. His first volunteerism was as an Associate Organizer for The Metro United Way of Louisville, which catapulted him into a lifetime of service. He was a long-standing, elected, official for the Oldham County Board of Education for eighteen years, retirement after serving the last eight of those years as Chairman of the Board; and he was nominated and subsequently served on the Kentucky Retirement Systems Board. He was a proud member of the Board of Directors for The WHAS Crusade for Children, a faithful member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Prospect, KY, and was later commissioned by the Governor of Kentucky the distinguished title of Kentucky Colonel.

One of Lew's favorite achievements was being the proudest owner and handler of the greatest dog that ever existed, Maxi Mae. Together they claimed the highest achievement in the sport of rabbit hunting; the 1973 BHCA (Basset Hound Club of America) 1st Place National Championship, Field Trials, Female Division, and followed that with two regional championships in 1976. He always tried to act annoyed but actually bragged, that as much as he loved Maxi Mae, and she him, that she would forget he ever existed the moment Joy came into her sight. Maxi Mae loved her as much as he did.

Known for his quick wit, no nonsense approach, and his expertise at what his wife Joy lovingly dubbed "holding court", he touched the lives of and was greatly respected by people from all walks of life. He was an incredible provider for his family, a role model and hero to his children, and a man who truly adored his wife of 61 years. He is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved granddaughter, Madalyn Elizabeth Reynolds. He is survived by his wife Joy B. Reynolds of Louisville, KY, his children Beth Reynolds Carman, (Larry), of Winston Salem, NC, William Lewis (Bill) Reynolds IV, (Lauren), of Prospect, KY, and daughter Melissa (Missy) Reynolds Kemper of Houston, TX; grandchildren Kristopher Brown, Allison Reynolds, Hilary Girten, Wilson Girten, Henry Kemper, and Charles Kemper; and eight great grandchildren.

Those wishing to honor Lew's commitment to family and community are asked to make donations in lieu of flowers to:

The Alzheimer's Association

https://act.alz.org

condolences:www.stoessfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier-Journal from Aug. 14 to Aug. 16, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for William Reynolds

Sponsored by The Courier-Journal.

8 Entries

Lynn Harpring

August 31, 2020

Lew and I were friends for many years.

In the late 1960s his office and mine were both on the 3rd floor of the Starks Building. During 1972-1974 he and I, along with two other guys, spent Monday afternoons, from 4:00 - 6:00 pm studying for our Chartered Life Underwriter exams.

The four or us all received our CLU designation in 1974. Then the four guys plus our spouses had a celebratory dinner together. What fun.

I had the pleasure to serve on both the Kentucky Retirement Systems Board and the Crusade for Children Board with Lew. With his vast experience and knowledge he had much to contribute to those organizations.

It was a real honor and pleasure for me to have know Lew Reynolds. I shall miss him.

He is only one of two others who I have allowed to drive my 1949 Buick. And, he never let me forget that I was older than him, by four days.

Godspeed, Lew.

Lynn T. Harpring

Debra Pike

August 25, 2020

We so much enjoyed boating, out of Rose Island Yacht Club, with Lew and Joy. Such wonderful people. Our prayers are with Joy and all others who love Lew. God bless and comfort you all.

Bob Helvey

August 20, 2020

Lee was at Commonwealth Life Insurance when I met him. Smart as a whip, creative and innovative. He was the first person I knew with aTexas Instrument computer and he showed it off proudly. Baseball was also a passion and he coached for many years. -Bob Helvey

Leona Illig

Planted Trees

Dawn Lee, CEO - WHAS Crusade for Children

August 18, 2020

On behalf of the WHAS Crusade for Children, we are very sorry for your loss. It is people like William who have made it possible for the Crusade to help children with special needs for over 66 years. Thank you for honoring his memory by remembering the WHAS Crusade for Children. His legacy will be seen for years to come through the lives of children who are helped. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Sherry Crose

August 17, 2020

On behalf of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, the Order offers its deepest condolences and is proud of a life well lived by Colonel Reynolds. His leadership through many nonprofits has profoundly impacted many.
Sherry Crose, Executive Director

Cindy and David Hilborn

August 16, 2020

May you rest in peace. Sending our condolences to the Reynold's family.

Richard Donley

August 16, 2020

What a kind sole, a father, a friend, a husband to Joy. I hane known him all my life, he helped me get over my fear of the dark as a youngster. I will always hear that laugh, it came from deep within him, probably from his toes, it was as big as his heart... Love to the family! Sincerely, Rick Donley

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